Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Maximizing mana efficiency with Scurrilous Sentry
In the fast-paced space of black-based tempo and midrange ideas, Scurrilous Sentry slips into the battlefield with a quiet, methodical plan: turn every card draw into momentum. With a mana cost of {3}{B}, this Menace creature (a 2/3 for four mana) isn’t just a body; it’s a card-advantage engine that trades raw stats for evolving utility. The Sentry’s bloomed keywords—Menace and Connive—become a tiny, efficient factory on entry or during combat, giving you the kind of tempo swing that makes opponents think twice about how they allocate blockers. 🧙🔥
A close look at the card’s design
Scurrilous Sentry is a Common from Modern Horizons 3, a set known for draft innovations and cross-pollination across formats. Its ability reads simply but lands with depth: “Menace. Whenever this creature enters or attacks, it connives. (Draw a card, then discard a card. If you discarded a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)” This means you can feed your hand while nudging the Sentry closer to your ideal late-game threat, all while staying within a Mana cost that doesn’t force you into an all-in commitment. The elegance lies in the mana efficiency curve: four mana for a 2/3 with menace is acceptable; the real payoff comes from the simultaneous card flow and potential growth via connive. 💎⚔️
Queen Marchesa's agents always manage to find the exact evidence they're looking for.
The connive trigger is not just about drawing and discarding for its own sake; it’s a built-in gauge for how you want to sculpt your hand. If the discarded card is nonland, Scurrilous Sentry grows with a +1/+1 counter, improving both its survivability and its threat level on the same turn you commit four mana to the battlefield. This creates a delightful feedback loop: you spend mana, you draw, you filter, and you push a bigger creature into the board. In many matches, that’s enough to swing combat in your favor before your opponent has a moment to reset the pace. 🧙🔥🎨
Strategic angles: how to maximize the connive engine
- Timing is everything. Not every enter-the-battlefield or attack trigger needs to be exploited the moment it happens. If you’re trying to stay ahead on land drops, you might draw and discard to filter while keeping your offense lean. If you’re behind on pressure, you lean into a more aggressive attack to push through and net a counter on the Sentry for a bigger punch next turn. 🧙🔥
- Nonland discard as a resource. Since the +1/+1 counter only lands if you discard a nonland, your deck notes should include enough nonland cards that you’re happy to burn away when you draw them. This is a deliberate design choice that rewards thoughtful hand management—your goal is to convert card quality into creature quality, not just to fill your graveyard for the sake of it. 💎
- Combat resilience through menace. The classic problem with four-mana 2/3s is blocking pressure; menace reduces defensive options for your opponent, helping Scurrilous Sentry slip through for those connive-powered boosts. In aggressive or midrange shells, that subtle edge matters. ⚔️
- Synergy with card-draw engines. Cards that draw a lot or filter your hand (think Cantrips or cheap.draw-discard suites) pair nicely with Scurrilous Sentry, turning tempo into inevitability. The more you draw, the higher the chance you’ll discard a nonland and grow the Sentry for free. 🎲
Deck-building tips and formats of influence
Though the card is primarily a black creature, its legalities span a wide swath of formats beyond Standard. It’s Modern-legal and comfortably fits into many Commander lists that lean into aristocrat or value-driven black themes. Historic and Legacy players can also appreciate the card’s resilient, tempo-forward angle, where every draw can become a lever for converting slow starts into board-dominant turns. The card’s rarity as Common makes it approachable for budgets and curious cube designers alike, offering solid board presence without demanding a premium slot. 🧙🔥💎
Art, flavor, and the vibe of Modern Horizons 3
Leonardo Santanna’s artwork channels a sense of measured precision, with a hint of roguish cunning that suits the Knight-Rogue title. The flavor text—rooted in Queen Marchesa’s shadowy network—gives the Sentry a narrative pull: agents who always seem to uncover the exact evidence they’re seeking, whether it’s on the battlefield or in your hand. Thematically, Scurrilous Sentry sits at the crossroads of stealth and tempo, a card that rewards disciplined trading of cards for information and momentum. 🎨 The card’s clean mechanics also make it a nice fit for casual commander lists where players enjoy analyzing how many times a single card can trigger big swings. 🧙🔥
Value, foil-ready and practical purchasing notes
As a foil-friendly Common, Scurrilous Sentry presents a convenient entry point into black-centered strategies that prize card selection and incremental growth. The reality of card pricing—typical low-value foils and nonfoils—means you’re often looking at a few cents to a couple of dollars to slot this into your deck. It’s the kind of card that often finds a permanent home in multiple decks, simply because its play pattern is so repeatable and approachable. If you’re chasing personal collection goals, the combination of a solid in-game role and a widely available print run makes it a satisfying pick for both value-focused players and new collectors alike. 🧙🔥⚔️
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Where to find this in your collection and a quick promo note
Modern Horizons 3 expands the toolbox with a flavorful twist, and Scurrilous Sentry is a shining example of a card that rewards sensible risk-taking and careful hand management. If you’re building on a budget or just exploring how connive can reshape a plan, this is a fine starting point—and a delightful reminder that even four mana can be the seed of a powerful turn with the right draw. The universe of MTG is all about turning tiny moments into big memories, and a single connive can do just that. 🧙🔥💎
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